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Dark Nights: Metal #1 Ends with a Jaw-Dropping Return

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains major spoilers for Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Dark Nights: Metal #1, in stores Wednesday, August 16,

Writer Scott Snyder promised his and artist Greg Capullo’s event was going to be massive, and it looks like they’re hell-bent on delivering.
Though Dark Nights: Metal, DC Comics’ first major crossover event of the Rebirth era, doesn’t arrive until Wednesday, the publisher kicked off this week with the reveal of the final page surprise — and it’s a big one. The latest character to join in Batman’s quest to uncover the secrets of the newly-discovered Dark Multiverse and the enigmatic Nth Metal is none other than Dream of the Endless, the main character of writer Neil Gaiman’s influential, fan-favorite Vertigo series, Sandman.

The reveal, which debuted via The Washington Post, is one fans of the character likely never thought they’d see, but Snyder assures readers not only does Dream play a “crucial” role in the event’ story, he does so with the blessing of his co-creator, Neil Gaiman. After Snyder approached him, and explained what he had in mind for the character, Gaiman responded, “I love it. Go for it.”

Not only is Dream’s appearance an important one for the overall Metal storyline, it’s going to consist of more than just a brief appearance. According to Snyder, Dream will play a crucial role in Batman’s quest to learn the secrets of the Dark Multiverse and the mysterious Nth Metal.

“[Dream] has some very key moments that spin the story in its essential directions,” Snyder told the Post. “At the same time, [Metal] really is a Justice League story focused on their discovery of the Dark Multiverse and the invasion with these evil Batmen [now] here and the desperate attempt to stop that using Nth Metal.”

Though they’re traditionally Vertigo characters, this isn’t the first time a member of the Endless, characters who embody fundamental aspects of the universe, have appeared in the DC Universe-proper. The Sandman series’ kicked off with overt ties to the DCU, including a scene in which Dream visited the Martian Manhunter, and the re-invention of the villain Dr. Destiny into a truly horrific character. Dream also factored into several DCU stories after his 75-issue series ended, including another encounter with the Justice League in JLA #22-23, in which he helped Batman and the League save the planet from Starro. Dream;s sister, Death, has also made several appearances in the mainstream DCU, most recently in an issue of Action Comics

“I’ve been planning Metal for as long as I’ve been writing Batman, but I want Metal to be built upon the stories happening now in Rebirth,” Snyder said in a previous statement. “Most of all, we want to create new material that feels really modern and different. And above all, it’s going to be fun. Even with terror and nightmares, it won’t be grim. Dark Nights: Metal will be celebratory, huge and crazy.”

Dark Nights: Metal #1 hits stands August 16, 2017 with a cover price of $4.99; subsequent issues will be priced at $3.99.